major
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for major, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Of great importance, size, or seriousness.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Antonyms
How to use major
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin maior, comparative of magnus ("great, large"). A doublet of "mayor."
Full origin of major →Frequently asked questions
What does “major” mean?
The word “major” means of great importance, size, or seriousness. In plain terms, big or important — or, as a noun, either a military rank or a chosen university subject.
How do you pronounce “major”?
“Major” is pronounced MAYD-zhuh ([ˈmeɪ̯d͡ʒɚ] in IPA).
How do you use “major” in a sentence?
Here is “major” used in a sentence: “They made a major decision to relocate the whole team.”
What is the opposite of “major”?
The opposite of “major” — its antonyms — is minor.
What part of speech is “major”?
Depending on how it is used, “major” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “major” come from?
The word “major” comes from Latin. From Latin maior, comparative of magnus ("great, large"). A doublet of "mayor.".
Is “major” a common word?
“Major” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “major” have?
“Major” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of great importance, size, or seriousness.
What is the difference between major and minor?
They are direct opposites. Major means large, important, or serious, while minor means small, lesser, or not very important. A major injury is severe and a minor one is slight; a major road is a main route and a minor road is a small side street. The pair scales almost any noun up or down.
What is the difference between "major" and "significant"?
Both suggest importance, but "major" also carries a sense of size or scale, while "significant" stresses meaning or impact. A major change is big and far-reaching; a significant change is one that matters or makes a real difference. They often overlap and can be swapped in many sentences.
Is "major" a positive or negative word?
Neither by itself — major is neutral and simply signals scale or importance. It takes its tone from what it describes: "major success" sounds positive, "major problem" sounds negative. On its own it just tells you something is big or serious, not whether that thing is good or bad.